Computer changes reading habits
By A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, July 5 — New trends have emerged in the reading habits of city students because of changing culture and habits. Most of the people hold the coming of modern technologies like the Internet, computer-aided games and cable TV responsible for the phenomenon.

Mayank, who passed out from Kendriya Vidyalaya I, has a keen interest in reading science fiction. He is of the view that novels are a waste of time and finds the computer a better source of enhancing one's knowledge. He finds magazines like the Readers' Digest good for passing time. He does not like to read about politics.

Ambika, an MCM DAV College graduate, is of the view that books are her best friends. They can never divert one to a wrong path. She says: "People for whom reading is a passion, technologies like computers and television do not matter." She likes reading classical writers like Charles Dickens and Indian writers like Prem Chand and Sharad as they describe cultures of various states like Bengal and Bihar, respectively, which she feels can increase her knowledge about different cultures and customs.

Amrit Thakkar, a graduate from Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, believes you have much to do in life than just sit and read.

Barkha, a graduate from the Government College for Girls, is inquisitive about reading sports material. She finds poetry amusing and and is drawn towards reading plays. She finds pleasure in Rabindranath Tagore's short stories and poems of Aurobindo Ghosh and Sarojini Naidu because they give a lot of knowledge about Indian literature.

Deepak Raheja, a IInd year student of DAV College, does not like to read and can't study anything other than his textbooks and is of the impression that reading is a kind of wasting of one's time.

Gitanjali Miglani of the Sector 16 GMSSS finds reading novels a time wastage. Books propagating good virtues appeal to her as they help build her personality. She also enjoyed Shakespeare's 'As you like it '.

Parvesh Kumar, a class XII student of a government school, prefers reading general knowledge books and magazines related to politics and competitions. He says: "For reading novels, one needs patience as it is a rather boring exercise"

Puneet, a GCG graduate, prefers comics, novels and Barbara Cartland's books. Romantic books like Mills & Boons also hold her attention. She prefers to live in a dreamland and wants to stay away from the hectic life. She is of the view that Indian writers do not offer variety and they try and copy foreign writers.

Pankaj, former student of the Sector 46 GMSSS, cannot find enough time for reading anything other than newspapers.

Manish, a DAV College graduate, who does not like to read, states that novels are a waste of time and make a hole in your pocket. He feels reading newspapers, geographical magazines and the Reader's Digest are good for increasing one's general knowledge and make you aware of the world around

Will to help public must: RPO
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 5 — "As a public servant, I know that in an administrative set-up there are rules and regulations. But at the same time, I also realise that there are people who have have problems and can be helped only if there exists a will to do so", said Mr Bhagat Ram while talking about his tenure in Chandigarh as the RPO and how he streamlined the office which he had joined "at the time of a crisis".

Mr Bhagat Ram has got his new posting as First Secretary, High Commission of India, London, which he is likely to join by July 20.

About his new posting, he said, "I have always liked to work in the thick of things and I am looking forward to doing so in London. Especially so, because there is a large population of Indians living there".

It was in July, 1994, that Mr Bhagat Ram joined here as the RPO and contributed significantly to the office by streamlining it to such an extent that a passport which was earlier available only after a long wait of a year or even more, was now being made available within a period of less than three months. "Single-handed the system cannot be changed, and I owe a lot to my staff in the passport office which helped me tremendously. A concerted effort to see to it that things get done and constant monitoring definitely paid. Also, my stint as the Assistant Passport Officer at Delhi office from 1983 to 1986 helped me in my tenure here," he added.

Mr Bhagat Ram added that since the supply of the passport booklet so very erratic these days the whole process of obtaining the passport has increased from four weeks to almost three months.

Spending daily more than three hours interacting with the visitors, Mr Bhagat Ram said that on joining as the RPO he had to study the system for almost 10 days after which he got down to find the shortcomings of the system and strengthening it. "Cooperation from the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, that helped in providing some additional casual staff also helped. The fact that as the head of the Chandigarh office, I not only took full charge and control but also saw to it that all the pressures of the bureaucracy and the people did not fall directly on my staff, aided in making me get the maximum work done out of them", Mr Bhagat Ram said.

There were times when not only was he being threatened by touts but they also slapped a criminal case against him for man-handling them in the office. Calling this a "bogus case", Mr Bhagat Ram informed that it was in July 1992 that the Indian Government had de-recognised all travel agents, but allowed people to deposit their applications on behalf of others because of which most travel agents continued to act as touts. "This should have been put an end to by my predecessor, but it was left to me to do the same. There were a number of bogus and false cases that were coming to me, so I put an end to it, and suspended such travel agents".

In fact, on his public dealing, a medical practitioner from Ludhiana had written a letter to The Tribune, which when published was seen by Mr M. S. Gill, the present Chief Election Commissioner, who telephoned him to congratulate him on his work and even wrote a letter of commendation for him and forwarded the same to Mr I. K. Gujral, former Prime Minister of India.

Postal department gesture on Kargil fund
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 5 — As part of an attempt to help soldiers fighting at Kargil, the Department of Posts has decided that the remittances of contributions to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund paid by money order and registered post for jawans fighting at Kargil will be exempted from money order commission and postage and registration charges.

This was announced today by Col Tilak Raj, Chief Post Master General. The exemption for contributions sent by money order and registered articles for soldiers at Kargil began with effect from July 1.

Meanwhile, Col Tilak Raj added that the staff had also decided to contribute their basic one month's salary for Kargil martyrs.

Fashion show: Chandigarh-based Castle Films, makers of films, tele-serials and plays, will organise a fashion show in aid jawans fighting at the border, later this month in the city. The proceeds of the show will be donated for the welfare of families of the soldiers.

According to Mr Amitabh Chandel, Executive Director of Castle Films, a play 'Mirza Sahiban' will be staged at Tagore Theatre on July 13 and 14, followed by the fashion show.

Rs 2.01 lakh donation: The Lions Club Kharar has collected Rs 2.01 lakh from the people of Kharar and surrounding areas for the Prime Minister's Relief Fund (Kargil Operations) till today. A draft of this amount was given to an editor of a popular newspaper in Jalandhar today.

Mr B.R. Anand, President, and Mr Susarshan Verma, Vice-President, respectively, of the club said the campaign would go on further. Mr Devinder Gupta, Secretary of the club said the donations ranged from Rs 10 to Rs 5,100. They appealed to the masses to donate voluntarily for this operation and welfare of jawans. They said they were encouraged by the enthusiam shown by the people in donating money for this cause.

Artists aid martyrs: Keeping in tune with the recent wave of patriotism that has swept its way through all quarters because of the Kargil crisis, even the artists of the city are now planning to come together and hold an exhibition of art works, the proceeds of which would be donated for the benefit of the soldiers.

But the getting together of all artist seems to be posing a problem for the moment. The first such call, to hold this exhibition, was reportedly given by a 'senior' artist of the region, Malkiat Singh.

Interestingly, though the new Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi was formed recently with artist-sculptor Shiv Singh as its Chairman, the Akademi itself is not planning to hold the exhibition. "As and individual artist, I would like to be a part of this project, but since the officer-bearers of the Akademi are yet to be finalised it cannot hold this exhibition", he said.

"Since every one in the city and every department is doing their bit for the soldiers, why not the artists? Some of us have got together and we plan to first invite artists, sculptors and photographers of the region. Then we will make a committee which will decide on the venue, depending on the participation and also decide the price of each exhibit, keeping in view the salability aspect and the cause", said Malkait Singh.

The artist community when sounded on the subject, did come forward, and welcomed the idea to donate their works for this exhibition. In fact, a meeting of a few artists was to be held today evening to work on the modalities of the exhibition, but the same was called off at the last moment because now apparently Shiv Singh would like the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi to organise this show.

The artist community even in the past has not been very actively involved with this Akademi, because of reasons primarily concerned with non-availability of funds or sometimes even honorarium. And since the official posts of the Akademi are also without an honorarium and even without any office space. most artists are reportedly reluctant to join as members and then work for it.

Meanwhile, though most artists are more than willing to donate their works for "the cause" it remains to be seen as to 'who' finally gets to organise the show meant to honour the Kargil heroes.

Donations pour in: Employees of the Punjab Scheduled Caste Finance Corporation have contributed their one day's salary to the Army Central Welfare Fund, according to a statement here today.

Mr Jagjit Singh, Executive Director of the organsiation said a cheque for Rs 75,000 has been sent to the fund.

The staff of the Directorate of Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy have contributed one day's salary to the Army Central Welfare Fund as mark of solidarity with jawans fighting in Kargil. This was stated by Dr M. L. Jalota, Assistant Director of the directorate.

The Gujjar Samaj Kalyan Parishad has collected Rs 51,000 by way of contributions. A draft for the amount was handed over to the Deputy Commissioner here today.

The IAS (retd) Officers Association has decided to contribute one day's pension to the Army Central Welfare Fund, according to Mr Gurbachan Singh, Convenor of the association.

Employees of the Milkfed organised a blood donation camp in service of jawans fighting in Kargil. As many as 40 persons donated blood on the occasion. Meanwhile, employees of the Milk Plant, SAS Nagar, donated one day's salary to the fund.

Members of the LIC Class I Retired Officers Association have donated Rs 5,000 to the War Heroes Family Welfare Fund.

A meeting of the Yadav Sabha to pay homage to martyrs of Kargil was held here today.

Members of the Haryana Civil Accounts Association, Sector 33, contributed their one day's salary from their June pays for the National Defence Fund in aid of Kargil heroes and victims.

Officers and staff members of the office of the Accountant General (A and E) Haryana, Chandigarh, contributed their one day's salary to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the National Defence Fund for those who have lost their lives in the Kargil-Drass sector.

The District Bar Association of Panchkula today gave Rs 11,000 to the District Commissioner for the Chief Minister's War Relief Fund.

Kits given: The Panchkula District Administration has donated at least 200 multipurpose kits, a colour television and a VCR to the soldiers injured in the Kargil action, who have been admitted to the Western Command Hospital here. The kits include items of daily use.

The City Magistrate, Mr M.S.Yadav, said a ‘Panchkula Sainik Welfare Fund’ had been specially created to generate funds for the relief of the injured soldiers who come to the Command Hospital for treatment. The administration had assured all possible help in this regard to the authorities of the Command Hospital.

Making colourful water tanks
From Bipin Bhardwaj
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, July 5 — Ball-shaped water tanks on the Chandigarh-Delhi national highway at Bhankharpur have attracted the attention of many road users for the past about two years. These tanks of different capacities, used for water storage, can be seen on the terraces of houses and multi-storeyed buildings in various cities, towns and villages of Punjab.

the creator of these tanks opted for this job for the treatment of his ailing wife. Hailing form Motihari in Bihar, Mr Moershwar Prasad Yadav, 28, learned the work from a trader in Roorkee three years ago.

Mr Yadav said he used to create five to seven such watertanks in a month, spending money from his own pocket. A tank with a capacity of 500 litre costs him about Rs 650. He has to spend Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,300 on the raw material used for the formation of the tanks having 800 litre and 1,100 litre water capacity.

He said raw materials such as sand, cement wiremesh, iron rods and concrete are being used for the construction of the water tanks. As a new tank comes up, it requires repeated water spray for more than 10 days. Different shapes are given to the tanks according to the requirement. The rains hinder the construction work as there is no sheltered space where the work could be carried on, he said.

Mr Yadav said a water-tank is painted only after an order is placed by a customer. Tanks of water capacity— 500 litre, 800 litre and 1,100 litre, are sold for Rs 650, Rs1,000 and Rs1,500, respectively. "I am earning Rs 150 to Rs 200 per tank. To meet the daily requirements of my family, I also make cemented vases . I have spent Rs 25,000 on the construction of tanks in advance, which I had borrowed. But I fear whether sufficient orders would be placed for these ", said Mr Yadav.

The requirement of these items is less in this area compared to places like Patiala, Nabha, Sirhind, Pathankot, Jalandhar and Ludhina.

Mr Yadav has a seven-year-old daughter, Prianka, living who studies in a private school.

Single-digit vehicle numbers in demand
By Kulwinder Sangha
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR, July 5 — The demand for single-digit vehicle registration numbers on payment in SAS Nagar subdivision is much higher than that for other numbers.

All single-digit numbers in the current PB 65A series except number eight had been sold off till July 5.

The authorities had put 182 numbers under the paid category out of which 34 have been puchased, including the eight single-digit numbers. This indicates that the demand is not particularly encouraging at present.

The Punjab Government had started the scheme to sell vehicle registration numbers which were more in demand than others on July 28, 1997. At that time the charges fixed for number one was Rs 25,000 and for numbers two to 11 and 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 99, 100 and 101 Rs 15,000.

In the case of other double-digit numbers and numbers like 111, 222, 333, etc, the charge was Rs 10,000. In another category numbers like 110, 121, 151, 202, 212, 234, 303, 313 and some more could be purchased for Rs 5,000.

On seeing that the demand under the sale plan was not particularly high, the government on December 21, 1998, reduced the charges for all numbers except number one for which the rate was doubled to Rs 50,000. Single-digit numbers are now available for Rs 10,000 and double-digit ones and number 100 for Rs 5,000. In the case of other specified categories, the charge is only Rs 2,000.

Mr O.P. Popli, SDM, said when the number sale scheme was first introduced the PB65 series was almost over. The demand under the current PB 65A series was almost 90 per cent in the case of single-digit numbers. The demand for other numbers was around 17 per cent.

He said with the reduction in the charges, the response to the sale scheme had increased.

Vehicle registration work is done on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but under the payment scheme it is done on all working days.

An officials of the vehicle registration branch said on an average around 400 persons turned up for registration every month. There was a great demand for the number 786 among Muslims for “religious reasons”, but surprisingly a large number of members of other communities, including Hindus and Sikhs, also sought this number. No charge, however, had been fixed in the case of this number.

Under the latest PB 65A series, around 3,000 vehicles have been registered.

Vehicles vulnerable to theft
Sector 17 parking lot token system withdrawn
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, July 5 — The withdrawal of the token system from the parking lots of the Sector 17 market has made vulnerable to theft the property of shopkeepers and visitors here. The recent bomb blast in the city has also instilled the feeling of insecurity among the people of the market.

A fortnight ago, the Police Department withdrew the token system. It was started to curb the incidence of thefts of vehicles and make the shopkeepers, working class and visitors to the market feel safe.

Home Guard personnel were deployed at several entry and exit points of the parking lots for the issuance and collection of tokens. Cops were also employed to look after the things.

Mr Amrit Lal Kathuria, a shopkeeper, is of the view that the token system had not only instilled a sense of security among the shopkeepers and their customers but also discouraged the miscreants. The Chandigarh police should revive the system.

Mr Jai Gulati, proprietor of another shop, said he was not aware why this was done. He said the market committee had cooperated with the authorities in putting to practice the token system.

Mr Kulvinder Singh, a visitor, said, "The token system had done away the fears of our properties. Since the system has been withdrawn, while strolling in the market, I always think about the security of my vehicle. The authorities should start manning the parking lots and sufficient number of personnel should be deployed to instill confidence and security among the people immediately."

Mr Ashok, a shopkeeper, alleged that the parking time was from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. However, hardly any personnel was seen after 8 p.m. He added, "Some Home Guard personnel did not use to give the token to several owners of incoming vehicles and they would demand money from the owners who were not given tokens while leaving the premises." On the pretext of loss of tokens, every month they demanded more tokens, he alleged.

A Home Guard personnel employed at one of the parking points, said, "As the tokens were supplied by several business houses, they either bore their brand name or the name of their shops. As a result, some people mistook us for being representatives of the business houses." He alleged that several people had not returned the tokens, as a result, he faced a shortage of tokens a number of times.

A police official on the condition of anonymity, said, "The Kargil situation had forced us to withdraw the token system as it was not possible for the reduced number of Home Guards to ensure the safety of the vehicles as well as keep vigil on the activities of miscreants, simultaneously."

The Assistant Superintendent of Police (Central), Mr Alok Kumar, said that several measures had been taken to prevent any untoward incidence and the token system would be revived within two days.

He explained that besides increasing patrolling in sensitive places, 30 more Home Guard personnel had been deployed and the beat system strengthened.

Mr Kumar further said, "We have also requested the market committee to keep an eye on suspects and give us information regarding miscreants."